Family-run used car dealership facing closure after devastating fire gutted site
A FAMILY-RUN used car dealership is facing closure after a devastating fire destroyed the entire site.
Ron Skinner & Sons in Blaenau in Gwent, Wales, struck by tragedy when a blaze gutted the dealership last year.
Emergency services rushed to the site but unfortunately, the used car warehouse was ruined.
Resilient bosses didn't give up and revamped the unit next door to be their new location - Unit E on the Tafarnaubach Industrial Estate.
However, in the aftermath of the blaze, the car company didn't fully complete the paperwork.
Bosses failed to apply for an official change of use of the upgraded unit.
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This meant they have been operating illegally in the space since December.
The company urgently applied for retroactive planning application, under the name Mr O. Llewellyn, in a desperate bid to save their converted unit.
On the website, the application states: "In August 2024 the company’s premises experienced a devastating fire which destroyed the entire building, equipment and some 350 of the vehicles parked within and near it.
"The existing building was destroyed and the remaining structure unsafe.
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"In the interim, to maintain continuity of its business, the adjoining and at that time, vacant unit and its yard curtilage, was re-purposed to serve as a showroom, sales area, vehicle storage yard and administration offices and staff transferred across from the original site."
The plea went on to explain that it would benefit a local business and the unit they currently have is unsafe.
It said they would only use the space for car sales and occasional office and storage usage.
"The use of the premises does not raise any material concerns on matters of planning significance and will help an existing major local employer continue its business operations following the devastating fire last year," the application stated.
"The proposed use is primarily car sales, with associated office and storage uses.
"As such and given that it simply replicates and use previously provided on the same estate, the proposal ought to be entirely acceptable in principle."
Bosses explained how the fire was utterly "devastating" for the business and urged council officials to give them the go-ahead.
Without council permission, Ron Skinner & Sons could be slapped with an eviction notice and would be forced to return to its original warehouse.
The final decision is expected to be revealed May 25.